simpsons

Homer Simpson joins TomTom's custom voices

Homer Simpson joins the ranks of Mr. T and John Cleese as a downloadable custom voice for TomTom portable navigation devices. Fans of the longest-running American prime time entertainment series can now listen to Homer "woohoo" and "d'oh!" his way through your turn-by-turn directions. Along the way, Homer adds his own commentary such as, "Take the third right. We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm... ice cream."

The official Homer Simpson voice was recorded by Dan Castellaneta, the same voice actor from the television show, and is available for download using the … Read more

Homer Simpson will protect your food from you

Those on a diet who can't resist the temptations lurking in the refrigerator will appreciate the Homer Simpson Talking Fridge Guard. Meant to sit on one of your fridge shelves, Homer will recite one of his six canned phrases ("Uh oh. Someone's gonna have a tummy ache!" "Mmmm...fattening") every time you open the door.

Aside from giving guests a good laugh, this battery-operated gadget will shame you when trying to reach for that soda or cheesecake while trying to lose weight. There's nothing quite like the world's most famous slob to … Read more

The Simpsons Game (Xbox 360) for $8 shipped

It's Friday, so let's forget our economic woes and have a little cheap fun. (No, not that kind.) Newegg has some solid deals on Xbox 360 games, including The Simpsons Game for $7.99 with free shipping.

Although it's not the world's greatest action platformer, it's pretty hilarious, with lots of original dialogue and some challenging levels. I'm definitely a fan, and my kids absolutely love it.

And for 8 bucks? Shoot, that's a no-brainer for any "Simpsons" fan and/or Xbox 360 owner. Here's a rundown of the other … Read more

Three-in-one Web browsing with Lunascape

If there is one battle that continues to rage, it's the war for browser supremacy.

While exact market share figures change on a daily basis (and vary widely from site to site), Microsoft's Internet Explorer commands about 65 percent of the market, Mozilla's Firefox about 20 percent, Apple's Safari about 8 percent, and Google's Chrome about 2 percent.

There are three main rendering engines:

Trident, from Internet Explorer, is used by many applications on the Microsoft Windows platform to render HTML, including the minibrowsers in Winamp and RealPlayer. Gecko, Mozilla's open-source rendering engine, is used by a variety of products derived from the Mozilla code base, including the Firefox Web browser. WebKit, originally from Konquerer, and currently best-known as powering Apple's Safari and Google's Chrome Web browsers.

Different engines mean that developers (and users) are still forced to contend with Web sites that are designed with one specific browser in mind. This often means a lack of functionality or a flat-out inability to use a site with the wrong browser.

Lunascape, (currently Windows-only) is a triple-engine browser that has a new take on the "browser wars." Launched in November 2008, Lunascape continues to push the envelope with its latest beta. In addition to improving the core triple-engine technology, new features include toolbar shrinking, appropriate for Netbook users who require low CPU usage. With this update, Lunascape claims to have the fastest JavaScript execution, according to the SunSpider JavaScript test. … Read more

The 404 280: Where we get Synched Up with Rich DeMuro

We have a sneaking suspicion that Natali Del Conte crept into the podcast studio over the weekend and planted a cherry bomb in our computer, because we run very, very close to losing the entire recording of today's show with Rich DeMuro of Synched Up. Luckily, Wilson "Al Borland" Tang is able to save the show, and although the audio isn't quite up to par, we gotta make do with what we got (it's not a lot).

So be sure to listen to today's show. We ask Rich about his new show Synched Up, … Read more

Bart Simpson robocalls for Scientology

A squat little man with dubious hair and a penchant for suggesting people place their mouths near his shorts has been robocalling on behalf of the Church of Scientology.

Yes, Bart Simpson. (Who on earth did you think I was talking about?)

The Village Voice reported that Nancy Cartwright, the lady who is Bart's tonsils, called many people to invite them to a Scientology event. And she used her Bart impression to make an impression.

The Voice quotes Cartwright's call: "'This is Bart Simpson' -- she quickly says she's just kidding and identifies herself. But she … Read more

MP3 Insider 126: MyPods from Mapple

Apple's new in-ear headphones are out, and Donald and Jasmine can't help but poke a little fun with the help of a recent Simpsons episode.

Also this week, the MP3 Insiders discuss Donald's favorite gadgets from 2008, as well as which portable audio gadgets make good gifts (and which don't).

Plus, things get a little heated when copyrights and the RIAA enter a conversation on digitizing audio.

Listen now: Download today's podcast… Read more

The 404 238: Where our post-Thanksgiving contest totally backfired

No matter how organized, some plans just don't work out the way they're supposed to. And sometimes, they just plain blow up in your face. On today's show, we learn that lesson to its fullest extent. What was supposed to be a funny story-telling contest turned out to be so depressing that we almost can't go on...but we do. We persevere and get through it, but before you listen to today's show be sure to prepare yourself! Get a box of tissues and stay away from sharp objects, we're going to get through this together.

The first half of today's show is hilarious, perverted, and interesting all at the same time. We play a clip from The Simpsons and discuss the show's current state, explore Australia's newest Silver Surfer initiative, segue into how to show your carnal love to a kiosk, and reveal details on the new Nokia N97 smartphone. But after the break, it all plummets downhill, because we reveal some responses to ongoing contest to see who had the most depressing Thanksgiving. Surprise surprise, some of the most humbling stories we've ever heard, and it makes us that much more thankful for the beautiful things we have. Wilson actually tears up a bit, and Jeff can't help but singing a verse from "Kumbaya." I do neither of those things, and instead choose to go to the opposite route and take the show back to its standard level of insensitivity and inappropo. After that, we wrap it up with an even more upsetting story about how Tina Fey wound up with the scar on her face, and we must reiterate that it doesn't make her any less hilarious, talented, or gorgeous. Tee-bear, if you're reading this, hit me up, girl!

Episode 238 Download today's podcast … Read more

D'oh! The Simpsons bite Apple

The only thing they forgot was a desperate attempt by old Gil to sell an iPod Hi-Fi.

Springfield got its first Apple store during Sunday night's episode of The Simpsons, allowing the show's writers to devote a good chunk of the show to satirizing Apple (Mapple), CEO Steve Jobs (Mobs), and "myPods." The show makes several tongue-in-cheek references to Apple cultural touch-points like the Power Mac Cube, the "Braniac Bar," and the famous 1984 commercial in a scene featuring Comic Book Guy, who is definitely a Mac user.

You can find the episode on … Read more